Match-box.



PATENTED APR, 17. 1906.

B. M. WHITEKER.

MATCH BOX.

APPL'IOATION FI'LBD MAY 26. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1$ l'neooam PATENTBD APR. 17

B. M WHITEKER.

MATCH BOX.

APPLIGAT .ON FILED MAY 26. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 wdnemeq v v $7M M J; l

BOSQUE M. WHITEKER, OF PINKERTON, TEXAS.

MATCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Application filed May 26, 1905. Serial No. 262,383.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, BOSQUE M. WHITEKER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pinkerton, in the county of Haskell and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Match Boxes, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to match-boxes of the type known as individual feed, and has for its objects to produce a comparatively simple and inexpensive device of this charac ter in which the lid will when unlatehed swing automatically to open position and one wherein the match engaging and delivering member arm will move with the lid for carrying the match to convenient position for removal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the match-delivering member exerts a spring action for moving the lid to open position and one wherein the said member will be properly directed to its match-engaging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the match-engaging member and lid-operating spring are formed in a single piece and mu-' tually cooperate for moving the lid to open position.

W'ith these and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical section transversely through a match-box embodying the invention and showing the lid in closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lid open and the match-engaging member in delivering position. Fig. 3 is a section takenon the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a different form of embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the lid in open position. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section showing another form of embodiment of the invention and with the box closed. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the box open. Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig.

10 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing another and different embodiment of the invention. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the box open. Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line 12 12 of Fig. 112

' Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, 1 designates a match-box composed of any suitable material and having its rear wall 2 thickened and provided with an upwardly-opening socket or seat 3, there being pivoted to said box on a horizontal pintle 4 a lid or cover 5, provided with a spring-lip 6, constituting a catch for engagement with a rib or keeper 7 to maintain the lid in closed position.

Formed on the rear wall of the cover 5 at a point adjacent its upper end is a clip 8, having engaged therewith one arm 9 of a substantially V-shape match engaging and delivering member 10, the other arm 11. of which is provided at its outer free end with a pair of spaced match-engaging portions or fingers 12, said member lO having' formed integral with its arm 9 a spring 13, seated at its lower end in the socket 3 and engaged at its upper end with the clip 8, while the arm 11 of said member bears at a point between its ends when the cover 5 is in closed position upon a stop or abutment 14, preferably in the form of a pin extended transversely through the box 1. As disclosed in this form of the device, the member 10 and spring 13 are formed integral from a single length of wire bent into shape, the wire being first folded upon itself at its longitudinal center and the doubled or folded wire bent into shape for forming the member 10, in the completion of which the two strands of wire comprised in the arm 11 are connected adjacent their outer ends and maintained in spaced relation by a metal sleeve 15, beyond which the terminals of the wire project to produce the fingers 12.

In practice when the cover 5 is closed the latch member 6 engages the keeper 7, as heretofore explained, while the arm 11 of the match-delivering member bears upon the abutment 14, while the spring 13 occupies the position as seen in Fig. 1, it being noted in this connection that owing to the pressure of the arm 11 upon stop 14 the said arm is properly directed for engagement with a match, and the member 10 is caused to exert a springpressure which, in conjunction with the spring 13, will when the cover is released move the latter automatically to open position, as seen in Fig. 2. As the lid swings open the arm 11 moves upward, thus presenting ,the match in a position for ready disengagement from the delivery member.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the construction and operation .of the device is identical with that above described, except that the member 10 and spring 13 are composed of sheet metal, as seen more clearly in Fig. 6, while the match-engaging fingers 12 are formed by supplying the outer end of arm 11 and bending the fingers 12 into shape.

In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 the match engaging and delivering member 16 is composed of wire, as in Fig. 1, but is bent, however, at the juncture of the arms 17 18 to produce a springooil 19, thereby increasing the resiliency and spring force of the arm 18 in its action upon the abutment 14 for throwing the cover to open position. Also in this form of the device the spring-arin 13 is omitted and the cover is acted upon by a spring 20, seated in a socket or recess formed in the wall 2 and having its upper end curved, as at 21, to conform to and bear upon the hinge of the cover, this spring serving to maintain the cover in open or closed position.

In Figs. 10, 11, and 12 the member 10, which is composed of spring sheet metal, is in the form of device disclosed in Fig. 4, is carried by a spring member or plate 22, formed integral with and normally spaced from the cover 5, the free end of the plate 22 being provided with a clip 8 to receive one end of the arm 9, while the free end of arm 11 is equipped with sleeve 15, having inserted therein a pair of pins 23, forming match-engaging portions or fingers. In this form of the device the cover is also acted upon by a spring 20, as described in connection with Fig. 7.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I produce a comparatively simple inexpensive device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view, it being understood that minor changes in the details herein set forth may be resorted to without. departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim is 1. A match-box provided with a movable cover, a stop or abutment within the box, a spring-arm carried by the cover, said arm be ing movable with the cover and adapted to act in conjunction with the stop for moving the cover to open position, and means provided on the arm for engaging a match for delivery from the box when the cover is opened.

2. A match-box having a movable cover, a spring acting thereon, a match engaging and delivering member carried by the cover, and a stop or abutment with which said member contacts when the cover is in closed position, said member being composed of spring material and serving to move the cover to open position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BOSQUE M. WHITEKER.

Witnesses:

J. T. NIcnoLsoN, OSCAR E. OATES. 

